How to Grow Artichoke Plants
Whether you’re a novice or a pro, there are a few things you should know when it comes to growing an artichoke plant. First, you should know what to grow, and second, you should know how to harvest.
Watering
Whether you live in a warm climate or a cooler one, artichokes are an easy plant to grow. They are heavy feeders and they need lots of space to grow. Depending on the artichoke variety, you may need to transplant them to a larger pot once they have reached their desired size.
When you start growing your artichoke plants, make sure you have good drainage holes in the soil. Artichoke plants require regular watering, as well as fertilization. When you fertilize, make sure you use a balanced all-purpose organic fertilizer. The plant can benefit from organic soil amendments like compost and manure.
If you live in a mild climate, you can let your artichoke plants die back for the winter. If you live in a colder climate, you may need to pot them up and store them indoors.
If you live in a warmer climate, you may need to water your artichoke plant more often. Artichokes do not like hot, dry weather. They can also be susceptible to diseases. To check if your plant needs watering, use a moisture meter. You can also check the top inch of the soil for moisture. If the top inch is dry, your plant needs water.
Fertilizing
Whether you have an artichoke plant planted in your garden or growing in containers, it will need fertilizing on a regular basis. Artichokes are heavy feeders and require extra nutrients in the soil. Using organic fertilizers is one way to provide the nutrients needed.
The best fertilizer for artichoke plants is one with a high nitrogen content. Nitrogen is needed for healthy growth and chlorophyll production. This gives the plant its green color.
Adding compost to the soil is an excellent way to add nutrients. Adding organic matter also improves the soil’s structure. If you don’t want to add compost, you can use a general-purpose fertilizer with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio of 10-10-10.
You can also use liquid nitrogen fertilizers for your artichoke plant. However, you must dilute the liquid manure to a quarter strength before applying it. You should also water the plant to ensure that the fertilizer absorbs into the soil.
If you do not have the time to fertilize your artichoke plant, you can always feed it fish emulsion or seaweed extract. These are also good fertilizers.
Harvesting
Whether you live in a climate that allows artichokes to grow year-round or not, there are still a few things you need to know about harvesting this plant. Artichokes are large plants that need lots of water to thrive. If you live in a dry, hot climate, the artichoke is not a good choice for your garden.
You can harvest artichokes in several ways. One way is to cut the plant down to the ground and wait for another harvest in the fall. Another option is to harvest the plant when it reaches the desired size. You can either cook the plant immediately or freeze it for future use.
You can also harvest the side shoots of the plant. These shoots are very tender and can be eaten raw or cooked. The side buds are ready to harvest when they are a few inches wide.
Once you harvest your artichoke, you can store it in the fridge or freezer for up to two weeks. It is best to store artichokes in an airtight container or heavy-duty plastic bag.
Growing in a Landscape
Whether you are looking to add a striking architectural feature to your garden or grow an ornamental vegetable, an artichoke plant can be a great addition. In fact, you may not even realize it, but artichokes are related to the sunflower, marigold, and dandelion.
Artichokes are a cool climate plant, meaning they grow well in areas where air temperatures remain below 50 degrees for two weeks or more. You can plant artichoke transplants after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 45 to 65 degrees. The transplants should be planted in a row, spacing them about 6 to 8 feet apart.
After planting, you will need to make sure that your artichoke plants are properly watered. Artichokes are heavy nitrogen feeders, and they require consistent watering throughout the growing season. The amount of water you need depends on the soil you are planting in.
If you are planting artichokes in a container, make sure you use a good potting mix. You can buy this type of mix at local gardening centers or you can create your own.
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